Alzheimer's
"Your Brain Matters" Features "Mind Diet"
Inspired Lunch
By FBWorld Team
The
Alzheimer's Women's Initiative, Ventura County, led by Chair
Amy Commans of the Alzheimer's Association, California Central
Coast Chapter, presented the Second Annual 'Your Brain Matters'
Luncheon at the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village on Friday,
May 10, 2019. The event focused on the importance of brain health
and honored caregivers who care for individuals living with
Alzheimer's disease or related dementias.
This
year's recipient of the Alzheimer's Leadership Award was Leeza
Gibbons, talk show host, and Alzheimer's Champion, who was also
the keynote speaker. Dr. Rebecca Edelmayer, Director of Scientific
Engagement for the Alzheimer's Association was a fantastic Scientific
Speaker. The brilliant women professionals who spoke at this
luncheon are living examples of the Alzheimer's slogan "The
Brains Behind Saving Yours." It was shocking to hear that
Alzheimer's is the 6th major cause of death in the U.S. and
the 3rd in the State of California.
Award Recipients Doug Yarrow and Leeza Gibbon
Leeza
Gibbons talk about her mother's battle with Alzheimer's was
very touching, but the powerful facts on how "Alzheimer's
affects twice as many women as breast Cancer today and how the
numbers keep rising in this healthcare crisis worldwide and
the end of Alzheimer's starts with you" was a home-run
for all the women in this room. "This is a terrible, polarizing
illness that destroys the brain killing nerve cells and tissue,
it 'Eats Your Brain' and takes the patient's whole family down
as well," she said. Prior to introducing Doug Yarrow 2019
Caregiver's Award recipient, Gibbons said "Caregivers are
the headliners in this picture. Theresa Valco and Rebecca Edelmayer,
Ph.D. joined Leeza in a panel discussion on Alzheimer's and
work being done to combat it and educate the public on diagnosing
Alzheimer's. The National aggressive plan of action is to effect
a cure by 2025 by doing the research to find biological factors
and causes, by staving off symptoms through style interventions,
medications, and fight, and know that It's game on!Executive
Chef Jose Fernandez
Comedian
James Farr of "Mash" fame filled in for Bob Eubanks
and shared some wonderful memories of his time with his mother.
2019 Caregiver Award Recipient Doug Yarrow gave a beautiful
sharing with video of his life, hope and dreams with his wife,
and how it all changed with the Alzheimer's diagnosis. Those
of us who have lost friends or family to this disease know how
painful it is to love someone who no longer knows who you are.
Doug's story was very touching and his continued hope for a
cure was so inspiring.
Executive Pastry Chef Patrick Fahy
The
luncheon featured extraordinary raffle prizes (view and pre-purchase
raffle tickets online at act.alz.org/awivta
that began on April 1), The ballroom lobby was alive with guests
bidding on lovely items. "Memories in the Making"
art created by Alzheimer's and dementia patients was available
for donation, Alzheimer's education, and limited edition amethyst
bracelets created by local artist Leslie Schneiderman were also
available. Some amazing items in the live auction included a
week at a luxury beach home on Silver Strand Beach a week at
cozy Mammoth home. 3-night stay at Rancho La Puerta Wellness
Resort & Spa, and an overnight stay for 2 at Rosewood Miramar
Beach Montecito.
Jaffurs & La Crema Wines
Bravo
to the Alzheimer's Association California Central Coast Chapter,
the board of directors, staff from Ventura, Santa Barbara and
San Luis Obispo as well as the "Angels in White" and
all the generous sponsors who made this afternoon possible.
Special thanks to Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Executive Chef
Jose Fernandez and Executive Pastry Chef Patrick Fahy who prepared
a luncheon using "The MIND Diet" ingredients to present
a magnificent Wellness Salad of fish and greens with avocado
and a lavender sorbet dessert with a chocolate walnut cookie,
all paired with Juffers and La Crema wines.
About
the Alzheimer's Women's Initiative
Inspired and influenced by "The Shriver Report: A Woman's
Nation Takes on Alzheimer's," a group of key women leaders
and visionaries came together to use their amazing brains to
help wipe out Alzheimer's disease. With women at the epicenter
of the Alzheimer's crisis, these women were charged, inspired,
and moved to form the Alzheimer's Women Initiative (AWI), a
volunteer-driven community group, which aims to educate families,
associates and neighbors on the economic and human impact of
Alzheimer's, honor those who selflessly provide care for people
affected by Alzheimer's, expand the resources available to the
local families who are living with Alzheimer's each and every
day, and advocate for more federal research dollars to find
a way to prevent or cure Alzheimer's disease.
About
the Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association is the world's leading voluntary
health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research.
It is the largest nonprofit funder of Alzheimer's research.
The Association's mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease
through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance
care and support for all affected, and to reduce the risk of
dementia through the promotion of brain health. Its vision is
a world without Alzheimer's. The Alzheimer's Association California
Central Coast Chapter is headquartered in Santa Barbara, CA,
with regional offices located in San Luis Obispo and Ventura
Counties. Visit www.alz.org/CACentralCoast
or call 805.892.4259.
By Bonnie Carroll
About Bonnie Carroll
Bonnie Carroll has been a food/travel/lifestyle writer since
1983. She is the founder & publisher of Bonnie Carroll's
Life Bites News - www.lifebitesnews.com,
does travel and food reporting on KZSB1290 radio, and contributes
to a variety of national and international travel/lifestyle
publications. Her first children's book C.C. Charles was published
in 2002 and she is currently working on a second book. Contact
her at Contact her at writebc@aol.com.